Clanfield football club forced to abandon pitch after its wrecked by people using it as racetrack

A FOOTBALL pitch has been left ruined after it was used as a race track by vehicles from a nearby traveller encampment this week.
By Richard Lemmer
Published 11th Sep 2020, 16:24 BST
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More than five caravans arrived in Peel Park on Tuesday, September 1, and moved on yesterday – but not before tearing up two pitches in Chalton Lane belonging to Clanfield Football Club.

The pitches, which are part of the park, were discovered ruined after vehicles were filmed racing across the field on Wednesday evening this week.

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The thoughtless drivers have ruined initial pitch improvement works made possible by a recent £20,000 grant from the Football Foundation, according to Stuart Wallis who is the club’s secretary.

He said: ‘We just started improvement works on the pitch.

‘But we cannot use any of the grant money for repair works.

‘We don’t know how much it will cost or how long the pitch will be out of action – we have contractors visiting the site on Sunday.’

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The aftermath of vehicles driving across football pitches in Peel Park, Clanfield. Picture: Stuart WallisThe aftermath of vehicles driving across football pitches in Peel Park, Clanfield. Picture: Stuart Wallis
The aftermath of vehicles driving across football pitches in Peel Park, Clanfield. Picture: Stuart Wallis

The football pitch was due to host an award presentation for 150 children who are part of the club’s junior teams on Sunday – but the event has been cancelled due to the state of the site.

Stuart added: ‘For the youngsters it’s particularly gutting – some of them will have been looking forward to it all season.

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‘We’re hoping some of the teams will host their own individual events.’

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Clanfield FC has had to move several events due to the damage to their football pitches. Picture: Stuart WallisClanfield FC has had to move several events due to the damage to their football pitches. Picture: Stuart Wallis
Clanfield FC has had to move several events due to the damage to their football pitches. Picture: Stuart Wallis

The damage has also meant moving training to alternative venues, costing the club several hundred pounds in hire fees.

The site of the encampment requires extensive cleaning, with human waste found in bushes around the park, according to John Bannell, chairman of Clanfield Parish Council.

He said: ‘The park has been resecured.

‘However, there is quite a mess of fly-tipping and litter to clear up.

Human waste has been found in bushes surrounding the park. Picture: Stuart WallisHuman waste has been found in bushes surrounding the park. Picture: Stuart Wallis
Human waste has been found in bushes surrounding the park. Picture: Stuart Wallis
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‘We are contacting contractors to put this work in hand as quickly as possible but, until the clearance work is completed, we request that residents should stay away from the Petersfield Lane side of the park between the play area and the skate park.’

Clanfield FC’s match against Lyndhurst FC on Saturday has been moved to Horndean Technology College.

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